How to grow Dendrobium orchids? Growing methods and precautions for the flower of fathers

Dendrobium is a potted ornamental flower with many varieties, commonly seen ones include Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium densiflorum, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, etc. Because of its serene temperament, it is a great choice as a gift for fathers. So how do you grow the “flower of fathers” Dendrobium? What are the specific growing methods and precautions?

I. Growing methods for Dendrobium

1. Preparing the soil

Since the aerial roots of Dendrobium are shallow-rooted, the soil requirements are relatively high. It is best to use well-drained, loose and airy soil. You can choose stones, pine bark, sheep manure, etc. Disinfection work should be done well before potting.

2. Plenty of sunlight

Dendrobium grows more vigorously in places with plenty of sunlight. Placing it on a windowsill for care is a very good choice, but when the sunlight is strong in summer, shade it to avoid scorching the branches and leaves of the Dendrobium.

3. Watering method

Dendrobium likes a moist growing environment, but it cannot be too moist. Being too moist will affect the breathing of the Dendrobium roots, so in summer and autumn, water once every 2-3 days, in spring water once every 4-5 days, and in winter control the water, watering once every half a month is fine.

4. Reasonable fertilizing

During the growing season of Dendrobium, that is, from April to October each year, fertilize the Dendrobium once every week. Decomposed cake fertilizer or peanut dregs are both quite suitable.

II. Precautions for growing Dendrobium

If growing Dendrobium in the north, do a good job of keeping it warm when the weather is cold in winter, because when the ambient temperature is below 5°C, it will cause the Dendrobium to suffer frost injury, or even death.

When caring for Dendrobium at home, pay attention to ventilation and air permeability. If the indoor air is not circulating for a long time, it will cause various pests and diseases to breed on the Dendrobium, hindering its normal growth. In addition, also pay attention to the following points:

1. Changing pot soil: For Dendrobium cultivated for more than 2-3 years, the plants are crowded, the roots fill the pot, and the potting material has rotted, so it should be replaced in time. Whether evergreen or deciduous Dendrobium, repot after flowering. When repotting, avoid damaging the roots too much, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and fall off when encountering low temperatures.

2. Applying fertilizer: Dendrobium starts topdressing from the second year after planting, 2 times a year. The first time is in April, using one or several of oil cake, oil residue, pig hair, bean dregs or human hair, etc., together with cow dung, fertile mud, adding calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer and a small amount of nitrogen chemical fertilizer, mix well, and after fermentation, spread it thinly around the root zone of the Dendrobium to promote the growth of young shoots. The second time is in early November, similarly using the above thin mud fertilizer spread around the roots of the Dendrobium so that it can keep warm through the winter.

3. Key watering points: During the spring and summer growing season, water fully to speed up the growth of the pseudobulbs, but do not water too much, so as to avoid water accumulation and root rot, causing the plant to die. After September, gradually reduce watering so that the pseudobulbs gradually mature, which can promote flowering.

4. Pruning essentials: Before Dendrobium sprouts each spring, when harvesting Dendrobium, cut off some old branches, dead branches and overly dense stems to promote the sprouting of robust new stems. For those planted on trees, also cut off overly dense branches to allow moderate light penetration.